Our Adoption Profile

Our Adoption Profile - Page Text Content

FC: Gerald and Alison Our Life Together

1: Gerald and I want to thank you for taking the time to learn more about us. We would like to start by expressing our admiration and thanks for your courage right now. We cannot imagine the feelings you have or will experience in your decision to plan an adoption for your child. We are excited that you would consider us as loving parents and we pray that this book will give you a glimpse of who we are and hope to be as parents. | Our Promise to You... We will always respect your place as our child's first parents and will abide by your wishes when it comes to being a part of his or her life. We will remain true to our word to provide you updates and pictures as the years go by. When the time is appropriate we will also discuss adoption with our child and encourage conversation and questions regarding his or her life. Any child of ours will be raised with unconditional love and acceptance. Respect, consideration for others, and giving to those less fortunate will be emphasized in our home. Education will always be a priority for us. As college graduates, we want our son or daughter to have the same opportunities we had to excel and succeed in the world.

2: Our Story Our paths crossed in February 2002 when our work colleagues arranged a lunch date for the two of us because they thought we'd be a good match. After a few months of dating Gerald proposed with a very special ring--his grandmother's. We were married almost a year to the day we met in a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends.

3: Our Marriage We've been blessed to have a wonderful, happy life together. Over the course of nine years we've had the opportunity to find the roles that work best in our partnership and effectively communicate with each other. As a couple, we've weathered years of infertility and have come through that struggle stronger because we know that regardless of the situation we have each other's backs. Because we've been married for several years before starting a family we feel we've got a solid start for parenthood and are looking forward to taking on the roles of Mommy and Daddy. We can't wait to create lasting memories together as a family--snuggling in bed to read a bedtime story, decorating Christmas cookies for Santa, hunting for Easter eggs in the backyard, going off to school for the first time. Most of all, we look forward to having a child to love and share our lives with.

4: About Alison... Originally from Louisiana, Alison moved to Florida with her parents and younger brother at age twelve. She grew up in central Florida and graduated from Florida State University. She works as an Account Manager for a software company. In her free time she enjoys decorating the house, baking yummy desserts, reading a great book, and getting outside to exercise with dogs Macy and Truman. | Tree hugging a redwood in Big Sur, CA | Alison hanging out with best friend Elizabeth | Alison with girlfriends at good friend Rebecca's wedding

5: About Gerald... Gerald was born in raised in central Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Florida. He works as a Financial Supervisor for an international hotelier and timeshare company. In his free time he enjoys playing drums or adding music to his iTunes play list, watching college football (Go Gators!), or whipping up a fabulous meal in the kitchen or on the grill. | Gerald and friends at his 80's themed birthday party | Overlooking Tuscany on a hot air balloon ride | Gerald and his grandparents Stanley and Virginia

6: Alison's Family Family is a very important part of our lives. Alison's parents, Debbie and Julien, live within a short drive of our home and we get together weekly for Mom's delicious cooking. Alison's mom, also known as Nana, will be caring for our child while we are at work during the week. Alison's brother Jason, sister-in-law Jen, nephew Aiden, and a new baby on the way live five minutes from our home as well. We can't wait for all of the cousins to grow up together! | Sharing a snack with Nana | Picking out the perfect pumpkin | Going for a ride with Poppy | Aiden out with Nana and Poppy

7: Auntie Al with Aiden, Christmas 2010 | Alison's grandparents with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their 70th wedding anniversary reception, May 2011 | Jason and Jennifer's wedding, April 2007

8: Gerald's Family Gerald grew up the youngest of three siblings. His mother and father, Gerald Sr. and Pansy, live within a short drive of our home and are retired. Gerald's sister Sonia, brother-in-law Steve, and nephew Zachary live on the coast of Florida. Gerald's oldest sister Jane, brother-in-law Lyle, and niece Samantha live in Florida as well. Gerald and Alison also have an adult niece and nephew: Elizabeth and Joshua. | Celebrating Gerald Sr. and Pansy's 50th Wedding Anniversary, January 2011

10: Our Home and Community | We live in a beautiful neighborhood surrounded by acres of open space. Our gated community also has a fenced in playground, picnic pavilions, and access to a shaded county park. Our street has many school aged children as well as small kids who we anticipate will grow up alongside our son or daughter. | Our neighborhood playground | View from our backyard

11: Our home is within close proximity to a historic downtown area complete with a weekend farmer's market, walking/biking trail, and seasonal parades and festivals. We anticipate spending weekend mornings here enjoying the beautiful weather.

12: Travel Each year we plan a vacation to a place we've never seen together as a couple. Over the course of our marriage we've added a few stamps to our passports with trips to Europe as well as some exciting trips around the country. As a family, we plan to continue this adventuresome tradition. | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA | Tulum, Mexico | Ellis Island overlooking Manhattan, NY | Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, Washington DC

14: Our Pets Our lives are made richer and all around more playful because of the energy and devotion of our two beloved dogs, Macy and Truman. Macy is an eleven year-old Labrador Retriever mix who loves to lay in the sun and get belly rubs. Truman is a two year-old Hound/Lab mix who loves to play catch with the ball and go for long walks in the park. Both are excellent with children and can't wait to have a new addition to the family to play with.

15: Thank you... Thank you for taking the time to get to know us. We know that these pictures and pages can't give you a full glimpse of who we are but hope that you have a better idea of what our life is like and what kind of parents we will be. We admire your spirit in wanting the very best for your child and pray that your decision to find him or her a warm, happy home is one that brings you peace and assurance. | With love, Gerald and Alison